Comments: Siegwerk CUSA (Canada and U.S.) had a solid year in 2013, as the company’s core packaging markets continue to perform well.

Chris Booher

“Siegwerk CUSA had a strong year of growth, development and investment in 2013,” said Dave Hiserodt, president CUSA. “Siegwerk continues to see growth in its energy curable segment for the narrow web market. In the flexible packaging market, Siegwerk continues to see growth in high speed printing with its commercial offerings NC 536 for lamination applications and NC 537 for surface print applications.”

“Siegwerk experienced growth throughout its customer base as compared to 2012,” added Chris Booher, president Narrow Web CUSA. “The packaging industry continues to consolidate and invest in growth and improvements to their current capacity.”
Hiserodt said that in terms of company highlights, 2013 was a major year for Siegwerk CUSA, adding new facilities in Canada and the U.S.

“Many investments were made to reinforce Siegwerk’s presence and dedication to the U.S. and Canada,” Hiserodt reported. “First, Siegwerk Canada relocated its site previously in Prescott, Ontario to Brampton, Ontario, which brings Siegwerk closer to its customer base in the Greater Toronto Area while maintaining its location in Laval, Quebec, thus reinforcing its commitment to the Canadian market. Siegwerk EIC also finished the building of its new UV manufacturing facility, which significantly expanded capacity. The expansion will allow for a dedicated low migration production cell and solidify Siegwerk EIC’s marketing leading position in the narrow web market.”

After a year of work with the ground-breaking beginning August 2012, Siegwerk’s Center of Printing Excellence became fully operational with its new pilot press at the company’s Des Moines, IA headquarters. The pilot press offers gravure and flexographic print capabilities for solvent-based or water-based inks.

“Siegwerk invested in its Center of Printing Excellence, which houses its pilot press for co-development and accelerated commercialization, providing savings in time, resources and waste for Siegwerk’s customers and co-suppliers,” Hiserodt noted.

Booher said that raw materials stabilized during the past year, but added that Siegwerk is continuously looking for new ways to protect customers from potential price and availability issues. “The past 18-24 months have been stable, but trends and recent raw material increase announcements further require Siegwerk’s continued diligence in alternative material qualification and process improvements to mitigate the impact of raw material cost increases,” Booher added.

Hiserodt said that Siegwerk has high expectations for the coming years, as the company continues to invest in new expansions.

“With many 2013 initiatives carrying over into 2014, Siegwerk continues to invest in its future and commitment to the CUSA packaging market place,” Hiserodt said. “The last six months have shown a 6% organic growth in business, therefore continuous improvements and investments are essential. In particular, Siegwerk is moving forward with a major manufacturing expansion and efficiency project starting in its Narrow Web Business Unit, and then moving into the Flexible Packaging Business Unit. With these investments, Siegwerk demonstrates its optimism towards the future.”